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Hardwood floors are renowned for their timelessness, their value and, above all, their beauty and aura of luxury. With proper cleaning and maintenance, your hardwood floors should retain their shape and luster for years to come. However, because wood is more easily damaged than travertine or carpeting, you should take reasonable precautions in protecting hardwood floors from heavy objects such as furniture.

Maintenance

Properly cleaning and maintaining your hardwood floors will help them to retain their strength, reducing the potential for damage. Place nonrubber floor mats at entrances and move them while cleaning to let the hardwood "breathe." Keep floors clear of dust and debris by vacuuming regularly with the soft brush attachment. Refinish hardwood floors every four to five years, or however frequently flooring specialists recommend the service.

Protection from Furniture

Attach cork pads and felt padding to the bottom of all furniture legs. Build Direct recommends using wider padding for heavy furniture such as tables and sofas. When moving furniture, place a barrier such as a sheet of thin plywood or felt between the furniture and the floor. Use a dolly when moving furniture.

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Damage Prevention

Respond to any insect sighting proactively, as they will sometimes infest hardwood floors, increasing the possibility that the furniture will crack it. Keep in mind, too, that older wooden furniture can easily allow a colony to migrate, so exercise caution when shopping for antique furniture.

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About the Author

Since 2003, Momi Awana's writing has been featured in "The Hawaii Independent," "Tradewinds" and "Eternal Portraits." She served as a communications specialist at the Hawaii State Legislature and currently teaches writing classes at her library. Awana holds a Master of Arts in English from University of Hawaii, Mānoa.